The regular monthly meeting of the Pioneer Gas Engine
Association, Inc. was held on Feb. 6, 1966 at the Fairville Fire
Hall, Fairville, N. Y. The week before was the blizzard of ’66.
In spite of this, members came from over 100 miles to the
meeting.
The meeting was opened with a very appropriate memorial service
in memory of Harry Schoff of Honeoye Falls, who was the founder and
instigator of our organization. The business meeting was very
short.
Slides were shown by Claude Abbert of Rochester of a recent trip
to the Smithsonian Institute. These were very beautiful, and proves
that Claude is quite a professional when it comes to photography.
Roland Riegle of Tonawanda showed us slides taken at the Rough and
Tumble Reunion in Kinsers, the Steam-Era, Milton, Canada, and the
Pageant of Steam in Canandaigua. Don Luteyn of Palmyra had his
collection of slides of the various ‘gas-ups’,
‘steam-ups’, and reunions. The movies of William Hurlbut of
Rome were shown. These were of his quite large display at a recent
Fireman’s Field Day. There was also a movie of the 1964
Steam-Era in Milton, Canada.
Our membership has now grown to 218. Since the first issue of
the GAS ENGINE MAGAZINE, we have had new members and inquiries from
North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Mass. If you wish
to join, send $2.00 to me, Mrs. Dorothy B. Smith, Ontario, N. Y.
14519.
Another of our members has passed away. Robert Stickler,
Campbell, N. Y. died at his winter home in Elfers, Florida on Jan.
19th. For many years he owned and operated a Hardware store and had
the International dealership in Campbell. Many of the old I. H. C.
gas engines around today were sold by him. His main interest in
later years was steam. He had recently owned a Case traction
engine, a Frick, and a Peerless. He also had a collection of gas
tractors, gas engines and models.
The regular meeting of the Pioneer Gas Engine Association, Inc.
was held March 6th at Fairville, N. Y. with about 65 people in
attendence. This was a very important meeting as plans had to be
made for the coming 1966 Reunion. Due to the death of Harry Schoff,
it became necessary to find a new location. The Board of Directors
had decided that the move be made to Fairville. This is just a
small town on Route 88, about 3 miles north of Newark, N. Y.,
‘The Rose Capitol of the World.’ It is about 35 miles east
of Rochester. The show will be on the property of Franklin Orbaker,
who was also elected to fill the office of Vice-President, left
vacant by Harry Schoff.
The very capable Ladies Auxiliary of the Fairville Fire Dept.
will serve the dinners, and have short order lunches on the
grounds. There will be room for campers, trailers, and a place to
unroll a sleeping bag. There are motels nearby on Routes 31 and
104.
We now have an Engine Directory. This consists of 33
mimeographed pages, (no pictures), with a listing of members and
their engines and allied equipment. This book is available for
$1.00. Send your order to Charles Beebe, 28 Elm Street, Geneseo, N.
Y. 14454.
At this meeting our membership reached number 227, which was the
total membership for 1965. Dues are $2.00 per year.
On Sunday, May 1st, we will have an all day ‘gas-up’,
when the members bring a favorite engine to show off, and some
trading and selling takes place. Lunch will be served and visitors
are welcome.
Don’t forget our Reunion dates are July 29, 30, and 31st.
Come visit us Would enjoy meeting you.